New, High-Tech Sneakers

Whether running a marathon or around the block, new sneaker technology can help.

What will they think of next? Today's newest sneakers aim to boost athletic performance, comfort and your coolness factor, but they don't come cheap. Shoes to help you put your best foot forward:

Nike Free
Nike Free has a featherlight sole that's ultra-flexible to mimic running barefoot, strengthening the feet and legs. You can even customize it in dozens of colors ($85-$100 at NikeFree.com and Niketown stores).

Spira
Spira's super-comfortable shoes feature real springs in the soles. When your foot hits the ground, the technology returns 87% to 96% of otherwise lost energy to you, decreasing fatigue and recovery time ($90 to $135 at Zappos.com; find a store near you at www.spirafootwear.com).

MBT
MBT shoe's rounded sole wobbles slightly, challenging your abs and back muscles to work harder while you walk. This tones them and improves posture-like doing Pilates upright ($250 at blissspa.com; find a store near you at swissmasaius.com).

Reebok
Reebok's Pump Wrapshear for runners has an inner air chamber that inflates, molding around any foot for a custom fit, while cushioning decreases impact ($100 at Reebok.com and sporting goods stores).

From Reader's Digest - November 2005

 

• • Get Motivated
• • Cardio Workouts
• Healthy Habits
• Exercise

• Beyond the Pedometer
• Other cool fitness gadgets to help measure your progress
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• Keeping Your Feet Happy
• Easy ways to alleviate foot pain.
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• How Do "As Seen on TV" Products Really Rate? The 2005 List
• Ever wonder if the stuff they sell on television is any good? So did we. Find out now how our staffers rated some popular infomercial products.
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• 5 Cool New Cooking Tools
• A slew of new kitchen helpers have just hit the stores. Here are some we love.
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• Lower Your Heart Attack Risk in 30 Minutes a Day
• Learn the basics to get active and healthy.
• 

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Sometime around two in the morning our phone rang, waking us out of a sound sleep. "Wrong number," my husband growled and slammed down the receiver.A few minutes later it rang again. I heard him say, "One with pepperoni and extra cheese and one with sausage. Pick up in 20 minutes.""What was that?" I asked. "I took his order. Now we can sleep."

-- Jackie Huth